Webber is sidelined until the New Year

Danny Webber has been ruled out of action until mid-January after a scan revealed that his dislocated left shoulder will take up to nine weeks to heal.

The Watford striker, who has nine goals so far this season, suffered the injury in the 0-0 draw at Gillingham earlier this month.

Webber, who has dislocated both of his shoulders before, will not have an operation, but manager Ray Lewington said: "He has to have complete rest for two weeks and will then start strengthening exercises in four to five weeks.

"He will possibly be back in action in eight to nine weeks."

Watford will also be without their other first-choice forward, Heidar Helguson, for tomorrow's trip to Sheffield United because of suspension. Hameur Bouazza and former Crystal Palace striker Bruce Dyer, who both scored in the 5-2 hammering of Southampton on Tuesday, will deputise for Webber and Helguson while Ashley Young will replace James Chambers if he does not recover from a bruised ankle.

Lewington claimed Helguson, who has scored seven goals in the past seven games, will be badly missed.

"He has been excellent recently, without doubt the best I've seen him play," he said.

"Not only has he scored the goals, but outside the box he has been outstanding at holding the ball up."

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